WOODLAWN, Md. — The drivers involved in a March crash on I-695 that killed six construction workers have been charged.
Lisa Adrienna Lea, 54, and Melachi Duane Darnell Brown, 20, each face more than two dozen counts including felony negligent manslaughter by vehicle.
Brown appeared before a judge June 6 and was given pre-trial home detention. He was ordered to not drive or have contact the victims families.
Although he has no prior criminal record, prosecutors argued for no bail. They claim Brown told police he was only going 60 mph.
Yet evidence suggests just five seconds before the crash he was traveling 122 mph in a 55 mph construction zone, and 111 mph at the time of impact.
“I understand the charges, I’m just not sure why I’m being charged with them," Brown said in court.
Meanwhile Lea, 54, turned herself into police on June 7.
Investigators believe Lea made an unsafe lane change causing her Acura to strike Brown's Volkswagen along the inner loop near Security Boulevard.
The impact led Lea's car to spin out and plow through the construction barrier, hitting all six workers.
Her car then flipped leaving her hospitalized for an extended period of time.
Leading up to the crash charging documents allege Lea was going 121 mph, "while so far impaired by any drug, any combination of drugs, or a combination of one or more drugs and alcohol that she cannot drive a vehicle safely."
After initially denying her bail, a judge on July 12 agreed to release Lea on house arrest pending trial after defense attorneys raised health concerns.
The Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office objected, but Judge Vicki Ballou-Watts felt Lea did not pose a flight risk.
In the meantime Lea is ordered not to drive or use any illegal substances including abuse of prescription medication.
RELATED: Excessive speed reported in lead-up to deadly I-695 construction zone crash
If convicted on all counts Brown and Lea each face up to 78 years behind bars.
The names of the six construction workers are as follows.
Rolando Ruiz, 46, of Laurel
Carlos Orlando Villatoro Escobar, 43, of Frederick
Jose Armando Escobar, 52, of Frederick
Mahlon Simmons III, 31, of Union Bridge
Mahlon Simmons II, 52, of Union Bridge
Sybil Lee DiMaggio, 46, of Glen Burnie
